Hydraulic gun charger



llg- 29, 1944. J. F. DRr-:scHER Erm. 2,356,981 v HYDRAULIC GUN CHARGER im, l 1. mw m .t T s. O .NN NN n uhu E NV .W Y N R mm A t D e i. mw L@ W :QN 2 Q s MM. J w B A w w L. m m m Aug. 29, 1944. J. F. DREscHER Erm.

HYDRAULIC GUN CHARGER Patented Aug. 29, 1944 HYDRAULIC GUN CHARGER John F. Drescher, West Los Angeles, and Walter E. Hirtensteiner, Inglewood, Calif., assignors to interstate Aircraft and Engineering Corp., a

corporation of California.

Application August 11; 1941, Serial No. 406,306

6 Claims.

This invention relates generally to gun chargers used with rapid're guns such as machine guns or the like for initially charging the gun to bring the iirst shell into iiringposition and for thereafter charging the gun if 'it becomes jammed during automatic operation.

It is a primary object of vthis invention to provide a hydraulically operable gun charger of simple construction vof relatively light Weight which is designed to quickly operate the charging pin or gun bolt of a'machine'gun or other rapid fire gun to initially charge the gun or to charge it after the gun has jammed, and ceased to automatically operate. It is also an object to provide a gun charger of the type indicated which can be used as a safety devicefor holding the breech of the gun open to prevent firing of the gun.

It is the practice to install several machine guns in banks in the wings of airplanes, especially fighter aircrafty Which are of limited size and have relatively thin wing sections. It is necessary to mount the guns in the Wings so that they may readily be detached and removed for cleaning and repair. The gun chargers with which we are familiar are comparatively large and take up considerable space in the wing therebyl presenting di'iculty in mounting the chargers on the guns in the limited space available. Such gun chargers cannot rapidly be attached to the vgun in the Wing nor advantageously detached from the gun while it is in the Wing so that the gun cantbe removed without the charger.

It therefore is an object of this invention to provide a relatively small gun charger which can be readily and easily attached to the gun or detached therefrom when it is in the Wing of an airplane or where a gun is located in any cramped quarters. In this connection it is an object to provide a gun charger which can be attached to the gun from a point above the gun or from one side merely by hooking one end of the charger to the gun and subsequently snapping the other end into place on a bracket on the gun. It is also an object to provide a gun charger which may be readily used in connection with hydraulic systems in use in present day aircraft and which may be left in the aircraft as a part of the hydraulic system When the gun itself is removed.

It is also an object to provide a type of hydraulic gun charger which is suitable for use in multiple whereby a plurality of gun chargers may be simultaneously operated by a single control.

It is also anV object to` provide a-hydraulic gun charger that can be operated mechanically or manually when desirable.

It is a further object to provide means for indicating at a remote point that the gun charger has operated or that it is holding the gun bolt in a safety position.

These and other objects will be apparent from the drawings and the following description thereof. Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only;

Fig. 1 is a side elevationv of a gun charger embodying the invention; ybroken,av/'ay to show parts in section. The chargerl` is shown mounted on a gun which has been diagrammatically indi- Gated;

Fig. 21s a cross section on; li-ne 2---2v of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross section online 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross section ,on line 4 4 of Fig. 1 with thensprings omitted.;

Fig. 5 is a cross section on line 5 5 of Fig. l showing the rear charger attachment bracket;

Fig. 6 is a cross s ectionon line 6-6 of Fig. 1-;

Fig. '7 is, aperspective view 0f the gun bolt engaging rider;

o Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the gurl charger with the parts in a different position and showing an electrical contactor mechanism mounted on the rear bracket of the gun; and f Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the electric contacter Vbox andsignal lamp.

More particularly describing the invention, reference numeral Il indicates` a rapid fire` gun which is diagrammatically indicated. This gun Ahas an outwardly projecting gun bolt stud or charging pin I2which moves longitudinally of the gun during firing. rIfhe limit of travel of this pin has beenindicated by the-line l 3. f

' The gun chargengenerally indicated by reference` numeral l5, `is adapted? to be Amounted alongside the gun andfor this purpose the gun charger cylinder I6 is-provided lwith a front support. I1 which includes a part I'B-mounted on the cylinder I6v from which rearwardly extends a strip I9V of relatively stili spring'. metal which is provided at its rearsurface-with a projecting conical pin 20. The pin is adapted tol be received in. the recess 2| of a front-bracket or support 22 mounted on the gun by'bolts 23. v

At thelrear of the cylinderl there .is provided an end housing -25 -formed Yof Ycomplementary parts 26and 21-Whichare joined rby suitable .bolts. 28. These parts includedownwardly extending Yside walls 26?, 21 respectively: which have inclined forward edges 29. These edges 29 are adapted to when the parts are in the normal position shown 7 abut against correspondingly inclined spaced surfaces 30 on a rear gun bracket 3l Awhich is mounted on the gun by bolts 32. The bracket 3l (see Fig. 5) is provided with a central projecting portion 33 which extends Yrearwardly of the surfaces 30, 30 and is adapted to be received intermediate theV side walls 26', 21' of the end housing 25 and in addition is adapted to form a ledge or shoulder at 34 (see Fig. 1) lfor a Spring urged latch 35 mounted on the bolt 28 extending between the side Walls. 26', 21.

is shown in the drawings. The latch 35 is provided with a rearwardly 'extending lever 31 by The latch 35 is provided with a spring 36 adapted to yieldably urge the latch toits forward position in which it l means of which it may be'. manipulated. The

outer end of the lever 31 can be providedV with a safety catch 38 if desired.'v Y f With this construction the gun charger may be readily mounted on the gun simply by inserting the pin in the front bracket 22 of the gun and then pivoting the charger downwardlyr to snap the end housing into vplace on Ythe gun Y bracket3l. 1

The gun charger itself .includes the aforementioned cylinder or barrel I6 which supports a Y slidably mounted rider 40 adapted to engage the gun bolt l2 as Will'appear. The rider includes an annular sleeve 4l (see Fig. 7) adapted to encircle the cylinder, a second. sleeve 42 of lesser diameter and a connecting longitudinal portion 43. The sleeve 42 fits Withinjthe cylinder and is slidable therein, the rider normally occupying the position in which it isshown in Fig; 1. To accommodate the rider the cylinder is provided Vwith a slot i6' which extends fromthe point at which Vthe rider is shown in Fig. 1 to the'end of the cyl- Y inder Where the end housingj25 ismounted.V The rider is also provided withga cross member portion 44 having a recess 45 adapted t engage the gun lbolt stud as indicated in .tl'ievdrawings` In order to prevent movement of the rider to the left of the position inl which'it is shown in Fig. 1 a stop or abutment projection 46 isfprovided on the cylinder. n .l f

The rider is also providedwith an apertured extension 41 so that the rider maybe operated manually orV mechanically'by means Vof-anattached cable or the like should this be necessary or desirable.

During normal operation offthe machine gun the gunbolt l2 will moverapidly back Aand forth ,within the space bounded by line '|3.. When the gun jams for any reason the bolt will normally n stop at the forward vend of its movement or at some point intermediate the'limits of its travel shown. The head 49 Vis vprovided with an externally threadedv annular, wall which is adapted to accommodate a; cylindrical. sleeve 56. This sleeve beingmounted on the headthusforms Y a partofV the piston assembly. yThe` sleeve extends toa point nearly in engagement'with the rider in Fig. 1.

In order to operate the piston, means are provided Vfor admitting a uid under pressure into the cylinder behind the piston and to accomplish this a fitting 58 is threadably mounted or otherwise secured in the forward end of the cylinder or barrel I6. In the form shown this tting is provided with two openings one being closed by the plug 59 and the other accommodating a fitting 60 which in turn is adapted to accommodate the tting 6I of a conduit 62.

The conduit 62 may be connected with a controllable source of i'luid under pressure, preferably a liquid. Admittance of the pressure iluid be intermediate the limits of its travel and carries the gun bolt to the limit of its travel.

In order to provide for the return of the piston, spring means are provided interposed between the piston and the opposite end of the cylinder. Preferably this spring means includes the two springs 64--65Y Two springs are used in order to achieve a compact structure and yet obtain maximum flexibility and power for return of the piston.

It is desirable to maintain vthe rider and the gun bolt at the limit of their movement or end of their travel while the piston is returning to its normal position or until the piston has `nearly returned toits normal position. In order to accomplish this a trigger latch 66 is provided in the housingv25. The cylinder VI6 is slotted at 61 in order to accommodate the latch. 'Ihe latch'is adapted to engage the sleeve portion 42 Yof therider when it has been moved to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 8 and forthis Ypurpose the portion 42 is provided with a notch 63 to receive the latch. .It is desirable to lprovide means operative bythe return movement of the pistony to its original position to disengage the trigger latch from the rider whenv the piston closely ap- Vblocks 12 which are secured in the end housing as by pins 13. The cylinder I6 is received in the uing parts.

Y head which ts Within the tube 15.

Inthe operation orf the device `pressure fluid is admitted to the charger to move the piston and rider from the position of Fig. 1 to theposition of Fig. 8. When the fluid pressure is-released the springs 164 and 65 serve to return the piston from theV position in which it is shown in Fig. 8

Vto #thatnof Fig. 1; VDuringdsuch 'movement the rider remains latched as shown in Fig. 8 until the piston approaches the limit of its return movement as for example until it approaches within one-quarter or one-half inch of its limit. At that time the small head 80 on the rod 'I8 engages With the end of the slidable tube l in a manner shown in Fig. 1 and the movement of the piston serves to move the slidable tube from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 8 to that in which it is shown in Fig. 1 thereby operating the latch 66 through its lever 56 against the force of the spring 63. The rider is then free to be returned to its original position of Fig. l by the force of the gun bolt.

In Fig. 8 there is shown an electrical contactor box 82 mounted directly on the gun charger bracket 3| by means of bolts 83 and 8d. This electrical contacter box is provided with a movable arm 85 adapted to be actuated and moved to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 by the gun bolt each time the gun operates.

The contactor box may contain suitable mechanism adapted to close certain electrical circuits each time that the arm is moved by the gun bolt or once for each time the arm makes a given number of movements. For example, the contactor box may be included in an electric circuit operating a counter-mechanism for giving and indicating the number of shots red by the gun.

In the present invention it is desirable to use the electrical contactor box in combination with the gun and gun charger for giving a sensible indication when the gun bolt is in the rear position such as shown in Fig. 8. Thus, by referring to Fig. 9 the contactor box B2 is the means of closing an electrical circuit 86 which includes a source of electric energy 8l and signal lamp 8B. The signal lamp may be located within the cockpit of an airplane for example and when it is lit will indicate that the gun bolt is in the rear position. Thus, the signal circuit may be used by the pilot of a ghter aircraft when he initially charges the guns to indicate to him that the chargers have operated properly in initially charging the guns. When the pilot of a ghter aircraft lands the airplane it is desirable as a safety measure to lock the guns against firing. This can be done by operating the gun charger and maintaining the fluid pressure on it so as to prevent the return stroke of the piston, thereby holding the gun bolt in rear or safety position in which it is shown in Fig. 8 and this fact will be evident to the pilot since the signal lamp will be lit when the gun bolt is in this position.

Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to a particular construction, it is contemplated that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the invention and it is intended to cover such changes as come within the scope of the claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a gun charger adapted to be mounted adjacent a rapid fire gun having an externally projecting gun bolt stud, the combination of a cylinder; a rider slidably mounted on said cylinder and engageable with the gun bolt stud for moving said stud toa rear position; a piston in said cylinder adapted to be moved from a normal forward position, said rider having a portion extending into said cylinder and engageable by said piston for moving said rider to a rear position, said cylinder having a fluid pressure inlet at one end thereof for admitting a fluid under pressure to said cylinder to move said piston from its normal forward position; means within the cylinder in contact with said piston for returning said piston to its normal forward position; and latch means mounted on the cylinder for engaging and releasably holding the rider at its rear position so as to hold the rider against return movement by said gun bolt stud; and a latch releasing means movably mounted within said cylinder in the path of movement of said piston, said releasing means constructed and arranged to be operated by said piston during the last portion of the return movement of said piston toward its normal forward position, said latch means comprising a portion extending into the path of movement of said latch releasing means to be operated thereby.

2. In a gun charger adapted to be mounted adjacent a rapid fire gun having an externally projecting gun bolt stud, the combination of I a cylinder, a rider slidably mounted on said cylinder and engageable with the gun bolt stud for moving said stud to a rear position; a piston in said cylinder adapted to be moved from a normal forward position, said rider having a portion extending into said cylinder engageable by said piston for moving said rider to a rear position, said cylinder having a fluid pressure inlet at one end thereof for admitting fluid under pressure to said cylinder to move said piston axially of said cylinder from its normal forward position; yieldable means in the other end of said cylinder for returning said piston to its normal forward position when the piston is not subjected to fluid pressure; a latch pivotally mounted on the cylinder engageable with the rider and adapted to hold the rider and the gun bolt stud at their rear positions; and means within the cylinder engageable with the latch and lying in the path of travel of the piston to be operated by said piston to move said latch to release the same from said rider when said piston closely approaches its normal forward position, whereby said rider is released for return movement by said gun bolt stud.

3. In a gun charger adapted to be mounted adjacent a rapid re gun having an externally projecting gun bolt stud, the combination of a cylinder having a longitudinal slot; a rider slidably mounted on said cylinder and engageable with the gun bolt stud for moving said stud to a rear position, said rider being normally positioned intermediate the ends of said cylinder and having a portion extending into said cylinder through the slot therein; a piston in said cylinder normally located at one end thereof, said piston having an extension adapted to engage the portion of said rider extending into the cylinder for moving said rider to a rear position; stop means on said cylinder for limiting movement of said rider from its rear position toward the end of the cylinder where said piston is normally located, said cylinder having a fluid pressure inlet at one end thereof for admitting fluid pressure to said cylinder at the side of said piston farthest from said rider; spring means interposed between the other side of said piston and the opposite end of said cylinder for returning said piston to its normal position; a latch means pivotally mounted on said cylinder engageable by said rider at the rear position thereof and adapted to prevent return movement of said riderV to its normal position; a lever on said latch; a stationary tube mounted in said cylinder; a latch engaging member slidably mounted in the stationary tube engageable with the lever on said latch means; and a fixed memberr mounted on said pistor'i and constructed and arranged to enga-ge with said latch engaging member during return movement vof said piston as said piston closely approaches its normal position. Y

4. In a gun charger adapted to be mounted adjacent a rapidV fire gun having an externally projecting gun bolt stud, the combination of z a cylinderhaving a longitudinal slot; a ridersslidably mounted on said cylinder andy engageable Withrthe gunrbolt stud formoving said stud to a rear position, said rider being normally positioned intermediate the ends of said'cylinder and having a portion extending into said cylinder through the slot therein; a piston in said cylinder normally located at one end thereof, said piston having an extension adapted to engage the portion ofrsaid rider Withinl the cylinder for moving said rider to a rear position; stop means inthe path of movement of said rider for limiting movement of said rider `from its rear position toward the end of the cylinder where said piston is normally located;v said cylinder having a iiuid pres- Y sure inlet at the side of said piston opposite to said rider; spring means interposed between .the

Vother side of said piston and the opposite end of Vsaid cylinder for returning said piston to its normal position; a stationary tubular member extending axially partl Way of the length of said cylinder from the end 'thereof opposite to the end .adapted to receive if'luid under pressure; a .slidcylinder, said cylinder being slotted at one end; a rider slidably mounted -on said cylinder and having a part extending through the slot in said cylinder to the interiorY thereof, said rider being engagable with'the gun bolt stud for movement of said stud toward said slotted end; a piston in the unslotted end of Vsaid cylinder engageable with the portion of said rider inside the said Y cylinder for moving said rider toward said slotted end; said cylinder having a iiuid pressure inlet at the unslotted end thereof for admitting fluid under pressure to said cylinderV to move said piston from a normal positionV within the unslotted end and toward the slotted end;V yieldfable means Within the cylinder engaging said piston to return said piston to its Anormalposition in the unslotted end of the cylinder; a housing at the slotted end of said cylinder; a -latch mounted in said housing and extending into said cylinder for engaging and holding the rider at the slotted end of said cylinder; and latch releasing means slidably mounted Within the path of movement of said Vpiston and constructed and arranged to be operated by said piston during its return movement to release said latch from said rider when said piston closely approaches its normal position whereby said rider is released for return movement by said gun bolt stud.

6. Incombinaticn: a gun having an externally projecting gun bolt; a Yfront bracket 'mounted Von said gunrand including a part projecting laterally of said gun, said part having a recess therein; a rear bracket mounted on said gun including means vforming a pair of spaced inclined surfaces and a projecting portion therebetween; a igun charger having a part adapted to engage the gun n bolt; a front spring attachment member mounted Y on said gun charger including a tapered projection removably received by the recess of the its normalposition under the influence'of said spring means to actuate vsaid slidable Vtube and release said latch whereby said rider` is released for return movement to its normal position by said gun bolt Stud. c

5. In a gun charger adapted lto be-mounted adjacent a rapid fire gun having an externally projecting gun bolt stud, the combination of a frontbracket on Vsaid gun; a rear'attachment member mounted on said gun charger having a pair of-sp'aced side walls Vhaving inclined fronteV edges engaging with 'the' spaced inclined surfaces of the rear bracket on said gun; and a latch on the rear attachment member engaging under the projecting portion of the rear bracket on said gllnf WALTER E. ItIIRfIENsTEINER.Y

Jornv FrDREsCHER. 

